replacing valve seat in situ

[Bored&Stroked]

I think I'd drink the rum and stay home . . . not a chance that fix is going to last long (at least in my opinion, but I've been wrong before!).

 

[blackbeard41]

New to the forum and am currently looking for a seat and guide machine. There is a PH-2000 locally but they want nearly $4K for it. Is the flathead block sitting directly on the table (no cradle being used)? Or is there a different cradle needed for using the PH-2000 on a flathead? I am not sure how the block would get mounted up so you could rotate the different axis when needed. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hi Pete, to the latter part of your post, not really.

The shop would need one of three tools to get it done, first, a portable setup to install them from the deck surface, I don't know of a single shop in my area has this (there are 125 automotive machine shops in a 100 mile radius of us), second, a head machine capable of holding the Flathead block (most newer machines today are "dedicated" for heads only), or third, a CNC and the applicable tooling to use in conjunction with this type machine.

I'll place a shot below of one of our head machines, an older Winona PH-2000, that is capable holding the block. It was for this sole reason when we picked up a newer machine at a later date I decided to NOT sell the Winona. It was mine, I owned it, it owed me nothing, in hindsight it was very wise decision with the number of Flatheads we still do today!

On a side note I do agree with you, I would recommend against trying to do some type of "backyard" repair in this area. These blocks are getting harder to find every year!

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. Here's a shot of the Winona showing one seat already machined for the insert and one showing we can also do the entire valve job on it as well! The third one shows us "pinning" the block for some SBC head dowels, same machine with our in-house fixture.

 

[GOSFAST]

New to the forum and am currently looking for a seat and guide machine. There is a PH-2000 locally but they want nearly $4K for it. Is the flathead block sitting directly on the table (no cradle being used)? Or is there a different cradle needed for using the PH-2000 on a flathead? I am not sure how the block would get mounted up so you could rotate the different axis when needed. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hi blackbeard, the cradle that was supplied with the machine originally works fine, you can mount the Flathead block right on it using a pair of "straps" that span the main cap bolts. Easy mounting!

That is a bit "pricey" for that machine but it depends on badly you want it, I would add this, there are no other dedicated head machines that I'm aware of that allow the blocks to be mounted in this way! Maybe an older Kwik-Way piece, but these weren't as good as the Winona's.

(Add) I added a shot below of the (2) mounting plates used to secure the Flathead block to the cradle on the head machine. Very simple pieces that use the main bolts holes to mount.

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. Just one tip, make absolutely certain the "gear-reduction" head AND an assortment of loose gears comes with the machine. Without these pieces the machine will be useless for your purposes.

 

[blackbeard41]

Thanks for the info. The seat and guide machine has been completely restored, cleaned and repainted by a reputable machine rebuilder locally. I am not sure if that makes the price in the range. I will ask about the gears. I know nothing about the machine so learning as I go.

Do you have any pics of a flathead installed using the "straps"? I am trying to picture how the block is bolted to the machine. I am guessing that half the block would rest directly on the table at 45 degrees allowing the target head face to sit flat on top. It seems that the stock arms would be up against the mains with the straps 90 degrees under the stock fixture cross bars and bolted to the main bolt holes. This would hold it to the fixture and allow the block to rest on the table. Is this correct?

I am working on AB, 8BA and Merc blocks all are being rescued from fields, old barns and backyard shops.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[flatheadmurre]

You just bolt the block to the cradle and then tip it over for working on either left or right bank.
The hole cradle is airfloat for centering on the valve your working with.
Next next on the list is to find a pilot size you want to work with and the tooling to fit it.